Rep. Henry Cuellar is lone Texas Democrat on Appropriations Committee

Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar was named by Democratic leaders as one of two new members to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, the panel that oversees government spending.

Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, were recommended to the posts by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a statement, said Cuellar and Pingree would bring experience to the committee that controls the purse strings for government departments and agencies.

“I am honored to be the only Democratic member from Texas to be appointed to the committee,” said Cuellar, whose 28th Congressional District includes parts of San Antonio.

Cuellar, a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, said he would seek to maintain a balanced budget and reduce the nation’s deficit when allocating federal funds. While occasionally voting with Republicans, Cuellar has remained a Pelosi loyalist.